What God Hath Promised

God hath not promised

Skies always blue,

Flower-strewn pathways

All our lives through;

God hath not promised

Sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow,

Peace without pain.

God hath not promised

We shall not know,

Toil and temptation,

Trouble and woe;

He hath not told us

We shall not bear

Many a burden,

Many a care.

God hath not promised

Smooth roads and wide,

Swift, easy travel,

Needing no guide;

Never a mountain

Rocky and steep,

Never a river,

Turbid and deep.

But God hath promised

Strength for the day,

Rest for the laborer,

Light for the way,

Grace for the trials,

Help from Above,

Unfailing sympathy,

Undying love.

Annie Johnson Flint, 1919